DoD committee discusses Draft EIS

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the military buildup was the focus of discussions at a meeting with the Department of Defense Economic Adjustment Committee.  During the meeting Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo recommended the committee take five concrete steps to address the island's infrastructure needs:

1. Develop civilian infrastructure funding strategy and present it to GovGuam and Congress by May 1;
2. Continue to hold EAC meetings under the Department of Defense's lead to address Guam's needs;
3. The EAC should identify statutory changes for any agencies that are needed to ensure funding commitments for Guam by March 10;
4. Direct the Office of Management Budget to review existing infrastructure funding and authority under the recovery act, jobs bill and tarp and other appropriate legislation with remaining funds;
5. To develop a memorandum of understanding between secretary of defense and Governor of Guam with commitments for federal funding.

Bordallo said the meeting was long overdue, adding the lack of federal coordination to Guam's needs is unacceptable.